New west coast roads expected to ease Naha traffic

In the Naha New Port area, there are many of logistics and transportation companies in the Akebono Ward of Naha City, making it an important logistics hub.

According to a survey by Naha Port & Airport Management Office, the Harbor Road No.1 running through the area is used by 45,100 cars each day, and is always congested. In the center of Naha City, all traffic, including residential, industrial, and tourism-related, is mixed, which causes a chronic traffic congestion.

The development of the “Naha North Road” is one of the West Coast Road Development Projects aimed at alleviating the traffic situation. When finished in 2023, the road will connect Wakasa and Minatomachi areas in Naha City with a 2.2-kilometer-long, 6-lane road that is expected to reduce the traffic volume in central Naha by 40%.

A new road, currently under construction called “Naha Port Road Urasoe Line” and “Urasoe North Road” that is located between Camp Kinser and the ocean is scheduled to open by the end of fiscal 2017. When complete, it makes possible to drive directly from Ginowan to the airport bypassing central Naha.

The new roads are an important step to alleviate congestion on national road 58 between Naha Airport and Okinawa Convention Center.

Naha City has a reputation of having the most congested and slowest moving traffic in Japan. Everyone is sure to look forward to any help the new roads would deliver.